RESIDENTIAL SURVEYS

Why do you need Survey? Because forewarned is forearmed.

When might a survey be required and what are the benefits?

Buying a home - It’s important to remember that your mortgage lender’s valuation report is not a survey. It merely tells your lender whether or not the property is reasonable security against your loan. A RICS Home Survey will tell you the actual condition of the property. That’s vital information that can be invaluable during price negotiations, and will also help you avoid expensive surprises after you’ve moved in.

Selling a home - A RICS survey can be an aid in selling your home. It will show you any problems that may delay your sale or cause price reductions later in the process.

Staying at home - A survey of the current condition of your home will warn you of defects and help you avoid escalating repair and maintenance costs in the future.

What survey is right for you?

The type of survey that you require will depend upon the property's age, condition, and your circumstances. Choosing the right survey will help highlight any serious problems and advise you of the specific risks before you commit to the process of buying or selling a property. We offer three different types of RICS Home Surveys;

RICS Home Survey Level 1 - Condition Survey

RICS Home Survey Level 2 - Home Buyer Survey

RICS Home Survey Level 3 - Building Survey

To assist you in choosing the right survey, refer to the information provided below to find out the scope of inspection carried out under each type of survey. Alternatively, contact us and we will be able to assist you.

RESIDENTIAL SURVEYS: Services

RICS HOME SURVEY LEVEL ONE

L1 - Condition Survey

Choose this report if you’re buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials and the property is in reasonable condition.

Scope of Inspection

A visual inspection that is less comprehensive than the RICS Home Survey Level's 2 & 3

A clear ‘traffic light’ ratings of the condition of different parts of the building, services, and the grounds, highlighting problems that may require varying degrees of attention

A summary of risks to the building, people, and grounds

An assessment of the relative importance of the defects and problems

No tests of the building fabric or services shall be undertaken

The RICS Home Survey – Level 1 does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance and it does not include a valuation

Ask your surveyor for the ‘Description of the RICS Home Survey Level 1’ document for a detailed summary of the scope of inspection.

RICS HOME SURVEY LEVEL TWO

L2 - Home Buyers Survey (Survey Only)

Choose this report if you require more extensive information than that provided in the L1 Condition Report, whilst buying or selling a conventional house, flat or bungalow, built from common building materials and the property is in reasonable condition.

Scope of Inspection

The focus of this report is on assessing the general condition of the main elements of a property. This intermediate level of service includes a more extensive visual inspection of the building, its services and grounds, but still without tests

Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars)

The report objectively describes the condition of the different elements and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems

This report does not include a valuation of the property

Ask your surveyor for the 'Description of the RICS Home Survey Level 2 (survey only)' document for a detailed summary of the scope of inspection.

RICS HOME SURVEY LEVEL THREE

L3 - Building Survey

Choose this report if dealing with a large, older or run-down property, a building that is unusual or altered, or if you’re planning major works. This report provides you with detailed information about the structure and fabric of the property.

Scope of Inspection

This report provides detailed visual inspection of the building, its services and the grounds and is more extensive than a L2 survey

Concealed areas normally opened or used by the occupiers are inspected if it is safe to do so (typical examples include roof spaces, basements and cellars)

Although the services are not tested, they are observed in normal operation – in other words, they are switched on or off and/or operated where the occupier has given permission and it is safe to do so

The report objectively describes the form of construction and materials used for different parts of the property. It describes the condition and provides an assessment of the relative importance of the defects/problems

Describes the identifiable risk of potential or hidden defects in areas not inspected

Proposes the most probable cause(s) of the defects based on the inspection

Outlines the likely scope of any appropriate remedial work and explain the likely consequences of non-repair

Makes general recommendations in respect of the priority and likely timescale for necessary work

Ask your surveyor for the ‘Description of the RICS Home Survey Level 3’ document for detailed summary of the scope of inspection.